She is back at her desk. The team are tiptoeing around her. She should have returned to her debriefing with Harry but she cannot.
She sits and she looks to his office and she thinks of her betrayal. He who had given all, fake or not, he who had given what could be his career, his freedom and always so willingly.
And she, she who had been tested and failed at the first hurdle.
She who had felt the need for another man.
She hides at her desk and thinks about leaving but she cannot.
Her fingers reach out for her keyboard and she searches, she searches everywhere she knows for a Six operative called Jim, married and now missing. She feels an intense sadness and loss for the one who had given her hope and warmth and affection.
"Ruth," says Harry and he is standing by her desk, "you didn't come back."
"I'm sorry," she manages nothing more.
They are looking at each other and their gaze, for once, is not flinching.
"I hadn't finished," he states.
"I didn't have anything more to tell you," she adds.
"But I did," he says.
And he moves behind her and he leans over her and his hand seeks out hers.
His index finger finds the back of her hand and it begins to beat out a familiar rhythm.
'Hello.'
It is as though the gag is back in her mouth, she can say nothing. She can see nothing but Harry and yet her eyes have not met his. Their hands speak all for them once more.
'R u ok?' beats his finger.
Her hand slides with familiarity over his.
"Yes.'
Hand changes position with hand.
"Good.'
'But how?'
She still has not looked at him.
His finger dances before her.
'Tell u over dinner.'
And he leans away and she misses his presence as though she was once more in a dark, silent world. But as he walks back to his office he turns and looks at her and smiles.
A little more to come.